Background: Salvage of below-knee amputations is of utmost importance as studies have shown dramatically improved ambulation rates and overall outcomes. Multiple techniques of BKA stump preservation have been described in the literature, from conservative management to free tissue transfer, each with differing success and complication rates. Method: We present a staged treatment of a grossly infected BKA stump with minimal soft tissue coverage using aggressive debridement, intravenous antibiotics, chlorhexidine immersion, and staged bi-layer dermal matrix placement with interval split thickness skin grafting. Results: The patient is now twelve-months out from surgery and ambulating on a below-knee prosthetic limb without the need to replace the prosthetic limb. Conclusion: The adoption of chlorhexidine irrigation to the clinical algorithm has greatly aided in eradication of infection, dermal matrix engraftment and salvage of lower extremity wounds.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.